Every living thing on this planet shares a similar life – it’s born, it lives and eventually, it dies. Trees are no different. However, when a large tree is nearing the end of its life – it becomes quite a safety hazard. Whether it’s dying from old age, a pest infection or just the damage from the heavy storms – it doesn’t matter. In those cases, it’s better to remove it, than to risk it falling on its own and ruining your property or hurting any of your loved ones. However, many don’t know how to notice the decaying signs. On that note, we’ve decided to help and present you with some of the most common signs indicating you need a tree removal service.
Table of Contents
1. It Appears Dead
img source: gardeningknowhow.com
Does that old chestnut in your backyard seem dead to you? If you notice that it isn’t blooming or that it just looks damaged and decayed – that could probably mean that it’s dead. So, the question here is whether you should keep a dead tree in your backyard? Well, regardless of your emotional ties or memories you have, by no means should you keep a dead tree just lingering around.
They’re losing strength and structural integrity by the day and they’re becoming increasingly more hazardous to you, your property and your family. So, if this is the case, you should definitely dial up a removal service.
2. It’s Severely Damaged
It’s no secret that the trees are tough and sturdy, but, they’re not indestructible. They can take on a lot of beatings in their lifetime, but sometimes, they just can’t handle it. Heavy storms and winds can severely damage the tree, even beyond repair. If you notice that yours has been badly affected by a storm, chances are, it’s time to remove it. Of course, don’t jump the gun and just dial up the removal service. First up, you should consult with an arborist, as they’re the most competent to advise you on the next step. If they feel like it’s damaged beyond repair, it’s time to say goodbye to that good old chestnut.
3. If You Notice Leaning
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First things first, we’re not talking about naturally leaning species, because there are quite a few of those. Those are perfectly fine. On the other hand, if a vertical growing tree that has been perfectly straight for years upon years suddenly starts resembling the Pisa tower – that could mean there’s something bad going on. In most cases, these lean occur after a heavy storm or wind, and usually, if the lean is above 10 degrees, you can safely assume that it is too dangerous to keep the tree around and you should call a professional to deal with the issue.
4. A Hollow Trunk
A trunk should never be hollow. It is one of the most important, load-bearing aspects of the tree. If the trunk has been compromised, meaning, if there are rot and decay that’s causing cavities – it’s the time to remove the tree. Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to notice a hollow trunk. The thing is, you have to check for it. If you notice any of the other signs, you could do an inspection and see whether the structural integrity of the trunk has been compromised. You can do so by tapping a blunt object onto the trunk and listening for hollow sounds. If you notice them, that usually means that it’s no longer safe to keep that one around.
5. Fungi-Covered Base
img source: thetreecenter.com
One of the clear signs that it is time to remove a tree is to take a quick peek at the base. According to treeservicecentreville.com, a healthy base is a clear base. However, if you notice a lot of mushrooms growing down there, that’s usually bad news. We say a lot because if you catch the problem early, it can be dealt with. However, if it had already gone too far and the trunk and the roots have been heavily infested with fungi, the only possible outcome is the removal.
6. Bark Cracks And Damage
As you can already tell, there is more than one way to spot a dying tree. You can tell a lot about it just by looking at it, although these aren’t always the clear-cut signs, so a consultation with an arborist is always welcome. However, you can tell quite a bit about the health of the tree just by inspecting its trunk and bark. Vertical cracks on the bark are a clear sign that there’s something bad brewing underneath the surface. Naturally, some damage will happen over time, so unless you know exactly what you’re looking at, don’t make premature assumptions and call an expert if you’re suspicious.
7. Root Problems
img source: thetreecenter.com
Even though you can’t diagnose root problems by looking at the roots, you can tell by looking at some other parts of the plant. First things first, check out the leaves. If you notice severe discoloration of the leaves, some patchiness, premature falling of the leaves or just thinning of the foliage – that could indicate root problems.
Since the plant is feeding through the roots, any damage to it poses a significant problem for the whole plant. Luckily, if you can catch this problem early, you can expect a full recovery. On the other hand, if you’ve been ignoring the signs for too long, chances are the plant’s already been severely compromised and damaged beyond repair. In that case, it’s chop-chop time.
8. It’s In The Way
Sometimes there’s nothing wrong with that mighty oak you have in the backyard. Well, nothing other than the fact that it’s in the way. Although it might sound bad, however, removing a tree because it’s in the way is a valid reason. They shouldn’t extend over roofs, as a branch could fall off at any time and either damage the roof or injure someone on the ground. Also, power lines and trees don’t really go hand in hand, you know, fire hazard and all that jazz.
As you can clearly tell, the reasons to remove a tree are various. Sometimes it’s a matter of health and sometimes it’s just a matter of convenience. Whatever the reason may be, there’s one thing that everyone should keep in mind – under no circumstances should you cut the tree yourself, always hire professional help. Safety always comes first.
